Analyst: A new low for Rocket politics

 

POLITICAL analyst James Chin, not mincing words, commented when Transport Minister Anthony Loke Siew Fook decided to reassure the Chinese-Malaysian community that there would be enough pork for Chinese New Year (CNY).

“Aiyo, this is a new low for the country and a new low for Rocket. You don’t need a Rocket minister to assure the public there is pork for CNY.”

Last year, the issue was turkeys for Christmas. Now, the top Rocketman himself is reduced to announcing pork supplies. Chin’s sarcasm bites hard:

“You are the largest party in the ruling coalition, and your party leader should not be doing this sort of petty announcement.

“This should be done by the Deputy Minister of Agriculture and Food Security, who is also a Rocketman.”

The implication is clear – when the leader of the biggest party in government is stuck making grocery-store-level announcements, something is off.

“No wonder many of your supporters are disappointed with you.”

Chin’s critique drips with irony: a major political figure, expected to lead on national policy, ends up reassuring the public about pork chops. For him, this is not leadership – it’s a flimsy distraction that should have been delegated to a junior official.

Loke had sought to reassure the community on the availability of pork, as CNY celebrations loom amid controversy on pig farming in Selangor.

Loke declared to nearly 1,000 attendees at a dinner banquet last week that the supply of pork in Malaysia is stable, and he would ensure there would be roast pig at every yearly reunion dinner.

“CNY would not feel like CNY without roast pig, so we must have it,” he was quoted as saying at a dinner.

There were reported thunderous cheers and applause from the attendees. On the other hand, photos of the event show him and other guests posing with whole roast pigs.  — Focus Malaysia